Ozone Dentistry
Dental Ozone Therapy: Simple, Safe & Effective
Working in the oral cavity can certainly present some interesting challenges! We’re constantly fighting a battle with infections in the soft tissue or underlying bone. These infections can come from bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites.
Conventional methods fight these pathogens with antibiotics, antivirals, antifungals, and antiparasitics. While such methods are successful in combating infection, we’ve since discovered that they’ve also served to make microbes more resistant to them.
While science does its best to stay one step ahead of these virulent bugs, we’re beginning to see our arsenal of “antis” become less and less effective.
But we also have an alternative that offers promising results with few or no side effects: ozone therapy.
Ozone has a long history of research and clinical applications. A compound made of three oxygen atoms, ozone was first made in a lab in 1840 by a German scientist, CS Schonbein. The first medical application of ozone was in 1870, and by 1929, more than 114 diseases were considered treatable with oxygen/ozone therapy.
The equipment to generate and administer ozone is compact and simple to use. It also has many applications in dentistry:
Prevention & Protection
- Ozonated water can be used as a pretreatment rinse for our patients to disinfect their oral cavity.
- Ozonated water in all of our water supply bottles and ultrasonic units protects our patients and staff from aerosol contaminants produced by high speed instruments and spray from the air/water syringe. This also keeps the unit water lines free of all biofilm (a complex community of microorganisms growing on a solid surface – i.e., “slime”) – contamination that could leave a person feeling quite sick after a simple dental visit. Ozone ensures disinfection and sterilization, leaving only oxygen and water as byproducts. It’s safe. It’s simple. It’s effective.
Patient Treatment
- In our patient care, ozone is used in two forms: 1) ozonated water, and 2) pure ozone gas. Using these two agents in combination allows the dentist to treat all oral infections using only oxygen and water. Whatever the location or the type of infection, ozone is able to treat almost any situation.
- Ozonated water is the perfect irrigation solution for periodontal therapy, tooth extractions, dry sockets – even post-operative treatments to help reduce pain and inflammation.
- For operative dentistry and periodontal therapy, ozone gas is used to reach and penetrate areas such as carious dentin, dentinal tubules, and periodontal pockets where no other antibiotic or disinfectant can reach.
- Ozone gas is a powerful antimicrobial agent when administered to a prepared tooth surface before dental fillings are placed or crowns and fixed bridgework are cemented. Post-operative discomfort is significantly reduced with this protocol, as well.
- For sensitive teeth and joint disorders, ear or nose insufflation with ozone gas (gently letting the gas flow into the ears or nose) may be used to provide a healing environment and thus reduce pain and discomfort.
All of this is possible because infection and inflammation are positively charged (acidic), where ozone is negatively charged (basic). The chemistry of the infection or inflammation attracts the ozone and eliminates the pathogens so they can no longer spread.
The use of ozone in our office allows us to enhance the cleanliness and safety of the environment for patients and staff alike.
Our office motto is “keep it safe – keep it simple,” and dental ozone certainly fits this mantra!
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